wax moths late in the season

[Kevin Goats]

I have a hive that has one deep,one medium and one more medium for feeding. The deep is full of brood and honey, but the medium has just a few frames of honey ( that's why I am feeding them).I was in the hive last night and found a wax moth in the feed area. The hive is not very strong and it's late in the season. I need to feed the bees because of the lack of honey. Does any body have any suggestions?  P.S. I live on the coast of Texas so the winter is mild normally.

                                                                     Thanks for all of ya'lls help, Kevin

[John Schwartz]

I'd keep feeding them or, better yet, combine them with another hive if you have 'em. If weather allows, I'd also do quick search and destroy any wax-moth and larvae you can find... might help some.

-John

[rast]

You say they are not very strong. If you only have 5 frames of bees in the brood box and the other frames just have a few on them, you need to remove the medium, freeze and save the honey frames for feeding back to them as needed. I am assuming the top medium is just an empty box to cover a feeder. And yes, I have used med. frames in a deep for feeding in the winter. Consolidation of bees is the best defense I have found for most intruders. From your description, it sounds like you found a moth in the top box, the bees may have kept it run up there. It only takes a about a week for the worms to ruin a weak hive. Keep a close eye on it. I have moths and SHB here year round. Just remember moths won't/can't take over even a 2 frame nuc if there are enough bees to patrol it. As long as the queen is laying well, I prefer consolidation to combining.

[Kevin Goats]

Consolidation of bees is the best defense I have found for most intruders

I am getting into the hive in the afternoon and see. I like the idea of condensing them. Thanks

[John Schwartz]

Great notes, Rast! Learning....

You say they are not very strong. If you only have 5 frames of bees in the brood box and the other frames just have a few on them, you need to remove the medium, freeze and save the honey frames for feeding back to them as needed. I am assuming the top medium is just an empty box to cover a feeder. And yes, I have used med. frames in a deep for feeding in the winter. Consolidation of bees is the best defense I have found for most intruders. From your description, it sounds like you found a moth in the top box, the bees may have kept it run up there. It only takes a about a week for the worms to ruin a weak hive. Keep a close eye on it. I have moths and SHB here year round. Just remember moths won't/can't take over even a 2 frame nuc if there are enough bees to patrol it. As long as the queen is laying well, I prefer consolidation to combining.